I want some.

Time to discuss a new grape – Nero d’Avola. This is a grape that is indigenous to Sicily. For most of you out there, this is a win-win wine (say that 5 times fast) all around.

To start, it’s less expensive than the majority of Italian wines you’ll run into. And perhaps most importantly, it’s a delicious easy-drinker. Wine snobs might describe it as having “sweet tannins” but think of this as simply a soft mouthfeel without any bitter or acidic aftertaste. Balanced. It’s not too heavy, not too light. It’s full of bright fruit and explosive flavors. You’ll generally notice red fruit flavors, like strawberries or cherries, with a little bit of spicy pepper on top.

You might have heard a wine like this described as “porch wine” for its perfect match with a relaxing afternoon on the porch. Grab a bottle the next time you’re passing through the wine section in the store (or better yet, ask at the wine shop for a great recommendation). As you can imagine, you can drink this with any Italian food imaginable. Its softness and balance will go well with about anything…yes even fish.